Alaska chocolate maker credits unique beans for helping business grow

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - An Alaska chocolate maker with Girdwood roots credits the location their cocoa beans come from for helping their product’s taste as their business has grown into an Anchorage storefront.

“There’s lots of cottage industry shops that make single-origin that are really great,” chocolatier Kyli Stewart said. “But right now in Alaska, we’re the only commercial [business].”

Stewart, who works at Chugach Chocolates, says the store’s single-origin cocoa beans mean the taste comes from the location where the bean was grown.

“The Madagascar is really bright and fruity ... Vietnam, you can taste the ashes, like the volcanic ashes,” Stewart said. “We’re not adding any cocoa butter that we’ve purchased from any other place.”

Stewart also said the beans produce higher production volumes, consistent quality, and accessibility for consumers statewide.

“Cocoa picks up its flavor notes in the tree-growing process,” she added.

The team uses what Stewart described as a true bean-to-bar process, meaning hand-sorting, roasting, refining, and tempering each batch over several days.

The chocolate is used for more than just bars.

“We can use them to make bars or the single-origin syrup or truffles,” Stewart said.

While the process once involved “do it yourself” tools like blow dryers and PVC pipes, Stewart said Chugach now operates with professional equipment to produce new flavors and larger batches.

“Alaska is our brand,” Stewart added, saying their commitment to staying Alaskan-made is unwavering.

“What’s next for us is just continuing to strive to have the best chocolate that is made in Alaska.”

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